Home
>
Yoga
>
What is Patanjalis Ashtanga Yoga?- Part(I)

What is Patanjalis Ashtanga Yoga?- Part(I)

The Sanskrit word 'Yoga' has two meaning, because it is derived from two roots - one is 'yujir yoge' and other is 'yuj samadhou'. The root 'yujir yoge' means to join or to unite. Religious leaders accept this meaning because their philosophy is based on dualism. They always try to project an external God and become Gog's representitives. By this they rule over their followers.

However the other root 'yuj samadhou' means to concentrate. Patanjali tried to preach that Yoga where mind is concentrated in order to realise the true self(svarup). Mind is concentrated when thoughts arising in mind is controlled through yogic practice. Total concentration(samadhi) is that state where mind is free from all worldly thoughts and a seer rests in his true self.

Patanjali's Yoga is called 'Ashtanga Yoga' for it is divided into eight parts or limbs. These are - Yama(abstention), Niyama(discipline), Asana(posture), Pranayama(breath control), Pratyahar(withdrawal), Dharana(to hold), Dhyana(meditation) and Samadhi(concentration)(II.29). Yama and Niyama are the external limbs which are to be observed in social life, while others are the internal limbs which are to be practiced in order to concentrate mind.

YAMA(abstention)

There are five kinds of Yama; these are - Ahimsa(nonviolence), Satya(truth), Asteya(not to steal), Brahmancharya(to think about Brahman) and Aparigraha(not to accept)(II.30).

Ahimsa - A Yogi should give up violence and cruelty against men and animals. When one gives up violence completely in thought as well as in action and remains firm in nonviolence, animosity disappears(II.35). Then one realises the unity of all.

Satya - While leading social life, one should be truthful. He who follows truthfulness none of his actions goes in vain(II.36).

Asteya - We should not steal or plunder other's wealth. Then we learn how to lead a modest life within our income or we learn how to increase our income. For this by remaining firm on Asteya, a Yogi receives all kinds of wealth(II.37).

Brahmancharya - A Yogi who has given up violence, is truthful always and depends upon his own wealth feels greatness. He thinks about his true self or soul(atman) and its great potential. The Upanishads describe this Atman as Brahman, the ultimate reality and truth. The task of a Yogi is to bear this highest knowledge in mind and proceed further in the practice of Yoga. By bearing knowledge of Brahman firmly one achieves vigour(II.38). This vigour makes his body and mind powerful. Brahmanchrya is not abstention from sex as believed by most people. The great saints of ancient India were married and at the same time practiced Yoga and realised the ultimate truth.

Aparigraha - Aparigraha is not to accept donations, alms or bribe. When one observes Aparigraha one comes to know how to lead life in this birth(II.39). When one does not depend upon others for a livelihood, one learns how to work and earn. Those who depend upon the earnings of others fail to realise their own potential or the potential of true self.

NIYAMA(discipline)

Niyama includes - Shaucha(ablution), Shantosh(contentment), Tapa(to heat), Svadhyay(self-study) and Ishvara Pranidhan(to bear God)(II.32).

Shaucha - It is to keep the body clean. By practicing Shaucha, body is protected and is made free from foreign matter(II.40). We should take bath regularly so that foreign matter sticking to the body are washed away. Also we should keep our environment clean so that practice of Yoga becomes fruitful.

Santosh - It is to remain content and happy. A content man achieves best happiness(II.42).

Tapa - The meaning of Tapa is to heat or to rule. By practicing Tapa, impurities in the body are destroyed and the body and senses are brought under control(II.43). Yogic exercises help remove impurities deposited in various parts of the body. While Shaucha is external purification, Tapa is internal purification. Heat generated during yogic exercise causes sweating and impurities are removed through sweating. By this body becomes fresh, active, powerful, beautiful and diseasefree. One rules over such a body and its senses and proceeds further in realising true self.

Different Yoga Masters teach different yogic exercises(yogasana). My late Master Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri has developed an unique exercise called Chakrabhedan(circle interception) which is very useful for keeping body and mind under control. This may be practised by people of all ages.

Svadhyay - It is the reading of the self. One is nothing but a mind. So one should read his mind carefully. Through self-study one may understand one's own self. So how one may meet one's beloved God through self-study. This is because God is not different from one's true self.

Ishvara Pranidhan - In order to meet one's beloved God one should make oneself worthy of it. One should bear God or Godliness qualities in oneself. This is Ishvara Pranidhan. Through Ishvara Pranidhan one achieves Samadhi(II.45). Samadhi is the state of total concentration of mind on true self. Through Ishvara Pranidhan one achieves Samadhi, means one attains total concentration of mind on true self and meets one's beloved God.

Other limbs of Yoga shall be described in the next article.

Author is a desciple of Late Munishvar Shiv kumar Shastri who established Muni Samaj. The desire of Author is to spread true spiritualism and yoga worldwide. He has published a book 'Quest for truth: the spiritual and yogic way' recently.

premansu_chand@rediffmail.com
premansu_chand@rediffmail.com

family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..

In The News:

Chrome faces its sixth zero-day attack in 2025 as Google patches critical V8 engine flaw CVE-2025-10585 discovered by Threat Analysis Group.

The Hypershell X Ultra exoskeleton features 12 terrain modes and carbon fiber construction to enhance hiking, cycling and outdoor adventures.

Personal data from public records and data brokers helps scammers create tailored scam stories, making their calls and emails more believable to potential victims.

Uber Eats partners with drone delivery startup Flytrex to test autonomous food delivery services in U.S. markets, marking the company's first investment in drone technology.

OpenAI announces 120-day plan to strengthen ChatGPT safeguards for teens, including parental controls and expert council on AI wellbeing.

Spam emails can help improve security — if reported correctly. Learn how to report spam across major email services and get key tips to protect your inbox and personal data.

Harvard researcher Avi Loeb says comet 3I/ATLAS weighs 33 billion tons and spans 3.1 miles, making it far larger than previous interstellar visitors.

The Glassboro Public School District in New Jersey has partnered with ZeroEyes and InformaCast to detect visible firearms and alert staff and law enforcement within seconds.

Hackers use fake Google search results to trick users into downloading lookalike apps laced with malware that have been pushed to the top.

Generative A.I. has lowered barriers for sophisticated cyberattacks as hackers exploit ChatGPT and other tools to forge documents and identities.

IOS 26's new features include bigger lock screen clocks, dirty lens alerts, and improved spam detection for iPhones.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Sophisticated phishing scams now exploit Apple's iCloud Calendar invite system to bypass spam filters and trick users into calling fake support numbers.

Complete guide to medication tracking apps for iPhone and Android users, featuring built-in Health apps, MediSafe, MyTherapy, and smart pill dispensers.

Alef Aeronautics plans to begin production of its electric flying car Model A by late 2025, following FAA approval for limited testing at five airport locations.

Five common overpayment scams use fake checks and third-party payment requests to steal money from unsuspecting victims across various scenarios.

The Robeta Ananya luxury camper van features a full living room, ceiling bed, washer-dryer, and complete kitchen starting at $295,000 for the limited Founders' Edition.

Scammers exploit retirees' trust and assets through fake debt collection calls, but proper verification methods and reporting can stop these fraudulent schemes.

Social media scams are rising as fraudsters create fake accounts and buy verification badges to deceive users, but these simple safety steps can protect you.

The new groundbreaking Paris Solar-Battery Park in Wisconsin provides renewable energy day and night by capturing excess energy from its solar panels.

Travelers face increased risks from fake Wi-Fi networks at airports and on flights as attackers exploit growing reliance on in-flight internet for entertainment and services.

Older Android phones, tablets and car systems will lose access to new Waze features as the app drops support for Android versions below 10.

Research shows iPhone owners' overconfidence in Apple security makes them easier targets for cybercriminals compared to Android users who take more precautions.

Five key tech terms reshaping online shopping from mobile payments and instant delivery to social media commerce and inventory-free retail models.

AI browsers from Microsoft, OpenAI and Perplexity can fall for scams faster than humans, completing fraudulent purchases and clicking malicious links without verification.